The relay, which was presented by Darcey Bussell, included a series backstage films featuring rehearsal footage and interviews with members of the cast and creative team. If you missed out on the night, or want to find out more about the production, here they are again:

Christopher based his second full-length work for The Royal Ballet on Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, a drama that follows the destruction of a family through jealousy. ‘Bringing a new Shakespeare to life through dance is an exciting prospect,’ says Christopher. ‘It is a very complex story, but at the heart of it is profound, inexplicable jealousy that strikes Leontes and causes him to do some devastating acts.’

The ballet reunites the creative team behind Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. ‘We spent an amazing three days forensically taking it apart, ending up with a synopsis that was incredibly detailed, right down to the timings,’ says composer Joby Talbot.

In Act Two the action moves to Bohemia where the lost princess Perdita, living as a shepherdess, falls in love with Prince Florizel. ‘Florizel is the son of King Polixenes and he doesn’t want his son marrying a commoner,’ explains Sarah Lamb, who created the role of Perdita. ‘Our union, and our quest to get that union blessed, is what brings everyone back together and what heals everyone.’

The music, designs and choreography vividly depict the contrasting worlds of the dreary, troubled court of Sicilia and the vibrant and cheerful countryside of Bohemia. ‘We designed Sicilia first, and Bohemia then became the antithesis of that,’ says designer Bob Crowley. ‘It is full of colour and pattern, and has a real exuberance compared to the austerity of the court of Leontes.’

Composer Joby Talbot discusses the music in The Winter's Tale:

A key element ofThe Winter’s Tale is the contrast between the two worlds explored in the ballet and composer Joby Talbot has created a score that depicts these drastically different moods, ranging from the troubled tension of Act One, to the joyful setting of Bohemia (which includes an on-stage folk band) to the emotional conclusion in Act Three.

'I’m incredibly proud of it,’ says Joby of the music. ‘Act One has this musical language which is quite taut and troubled. In Act Two we want an absolute change - a lot of beautiful dancing and beautiful music. We’re back in Sicilia for Act Three, which is very emotional and the music is freer.’